Anti-Depressants in Short Supply During COVID-19 Lockdowns
Drug shortages listed by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are exposing some of the ramifications of responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including state lockdowns and social distancing regulations.1 Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride), an anti-depressant manufactured by Pfizer and its generic counterparts produced by other drug makers, have been added to the FDA’s list of […]
Poll Finds Only Half of Americans Plan to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
A recent poll conducted by the Associated Press’s NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 20 percent of Americans anticipate that a COVID-19 vaccine will be available to the public before the end of 2020, while 61 percent expect it during 2021. Only 17 percent believe it will take longer than that to develop.1 […]
Diagnostic Errors are Leading Cause of Medical Malpractice Claims Says Report
Story Highlights A recent report by Coverys Inc. found that diagnostic errors were the most common reason for medical malpractice claims from 2013 to 2017. An estimated 40,000 to 80,000 people die each year from diagnostic failures in American hospitals. Most medical diagnostic errors occur in outpatient settings and emergency departments. A recent report released by an […]
COVID-19 Related Drug Shortage in U.S. Because China Supplies Most Ingredients
Story Highlights The FDA has reported its first drug shortage as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Many drug ingredients and finished drug products used in the U.S are sourced and manufactured in China. The possibility of potential drug shortages highlights the issue of how the U.S. is heavily reliant on China for […]
Doctors in India and U.S. Get Big Money and Gifts from Pharma
The Madras High Court in India stated that 8,667 pharmaceutical companies have claimed income tax deduction on the freebies they give to doctors as “sales promotion expenses” and “gifts” in their tax return for the year 2019-20.1 In January 2020, the Court had taken suo motu cognizance (when courts in India take a case on […]
Medical Errors Harm Up to 25 Percent of Patients in Outpatient Care
A white paper released in January 2020 by the Foundation for the Innovation and Development of Health Safety shows that 20-25 percent of patients are harmed by medical errors in primary and ambulatory care (outpatient) in both developed countries like the U.S. and Europe and in developing countries. Primary and ambulatory care is one of […]